GALATIANS-EPHESIANS-PHILIPPIANS

I sure enjoyed Church yesterday.  What a blessing!  A great crowd in the morning, and in the evening service.  My how God is blessing.  I sure love Church.  I'm reading in the Prison Epistles: Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians.  Here are some thoughts:   1) PRESENT EVIL WORLD- In Gal. 1:4, it reads:  "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliever us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."  Almost 2,000 years ago, it was a present "evil world", imagine what it is today.  A present, very, very evil age!  This is why even more so, we must put on the whole armour of God.  We have to be equip to handle the darts of Satan being thrown at us each day.  Realize where we live, and let us then live according.   2) DON'T TROUBLE ME!  This is what Paul is saying in Galatians 6:17, and with good reason.  He says:  "From henceforth let no man trouble me:  for I bear in my body the marks of the LORD Jesus."  His scars were the sign of His sincerity and sacrifice for the cause of Christ.  Today, we don't have scars on our backs, but upon our souls.  Anyone in ministry very long, has those scars.  Those deep cuts by someone who at one time was a faithful, loving member.  They liked our ministry at one time, but something changed.... in them.  We kept on the same, but they changed and now we are the object of their insults, not affection.  But, since they wound the soul, they are not as visable as those underneath the garments that Paul wore.  I'm not sure which he dreaded more, the hurt on his back or the hurt of his soul, but he had both.  So, having had to defend his apostleship again in Galatians as he did to the Corinthians, he simple closes with this admonition.... "let no man trouble me".  He had the marks on his back if you really wanted to see that proved he was who he said he was.  Be a friend to your pastor.  Lighten his load however possible.  He has been wounded many times, very deeply, but you cannot see beyond the smile he wears..... he wears that for you, and others!   3) RESULTS OF SPIRIT FULNESSESS- Ephesians 5:18 says:  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"  Now what follows in these next two chapters is some of the evidences of this Holy Spirit fulness.  Notice them with me:  1) Siinging vs. 19; 2) Giving Thanks vs. 20; 3) Submitting vs. 21; 4) Equiping Ch. 6:10-17; 5) Praying 6:19; and 6) Watching (for the needs of others) 6:18 .   Let us look to see these things in our lives as we seek to be full of the Spirit of God.   Well, time to go.  Hope your day is wonderful.  May God's blessings be upon you!   Pastor Mike Mutchler